ADDED INFORMATION ON ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

Religion:
Religion plays a very important part in life and by denomination the split is :

45% Anglican, 17% Moravian, 11% Methodist, 10% Roman catholic, 6% 7th Day Adventist and 11% others.
Language:

The language spoken is English, although locals speak in a broad dialect of broken English which can be very difficult to understand. Be aware that some locals may also find your English very difficult to understand. If this is the case, speak more slowly and you may be understood – failing that find someone else who can understand you and try again.

GEOGRAPHY AND TIME ZONE

Antigua has a land area of 108 sq miles located at latitude
17 degrees 5’ North and longitude 61 degrees 45’ in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean.

Antigua is 9 by 12 miles across with a coastline peppered with numerous coves and bays, many with beautiful white sand beaches. The south west corner is quite hilly, rising to 402 metres at Boggy Peak, the islands highest point.

Barbuda, a low lying coral island is located 32 miles north of Antigua and has a land area of approximately 64 square miles. Barbuda encompasses the expansive Codrington lagoon, which is bound by a long undeveloped beach.

The countries boundaries also include Redonda, an uninhabited rocky islet about 1 sq. km in size which lies 32 miles south-west of Antigua.

Time Zone:
Atlantic Standard Time, GMT -4.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Antigua and Barbuda is warm all year round with soothing south-easterly breezes. Temperatures do not vary that much throughout the year – they are generally between 24 and 30 degrees in the daytime. The coolest night time temperatures can drop to as low as 20 degrees which can feel very cool and in the summer can be as hot as 27 degrees.

If you check the weather forecast regularly you will see that the forecast is often for cloud and rain. This is usually fluffy clouds which pass through quickly. It does rain and for most of the year the rain is short bursts of tropical rain which are over in 10 minutes. If a tropical wave is passing through during the hurricane season, this can last on and off for a few days. The worst months for heavy rain are historically October, November and December.

The hurricane season is June 1st to November 31st., that said the highest risk months are Mid august to Mid October. The last hurricane to hit Antigua was in 1999 and in 50 years there have been only 6 direct hits.

To keep an eye on the weather here are links to three of our favourite sites:

MONEY, EXCHANGE, BANKS

o Official Currency The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar but the US Dollar is accepted over the counter. The rate is fixed to the US dollar at an exchange rate of US$1.00 = EC$2.6882. .Pound Sterling can be changed at the banks.

o Currency Exchange - £ sterling and US$ may be changed at all banks on the island, or at hotels and some larger stores.

o Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in many places.

o Travellers Cheques – readily accepted are $US and £ sterling cheques – euro cheques are not widely accepted.

o Electronic funds transfers – these can be easily organised from and to any bank.

o Bank Locations :

There are banks located in the following places:St John’s – primarily on High Street and nearby Woods Shopping Mall

VC Bird International Airport, Nelsons Dockyard, Jolly Harbour Marina

o Bank Opening Times

Opening times vary by bank, but most are open

Monday to Thursday – 9am to 3pm – some banks differ

Friday – 9am to 4pm

o Cash Machines

There are a number of cash machines around the island but not all of them take all cards. If you want to withdraw cash via cash machine you are best to head into St Johns as there is a wider choice.

AIRPORT, IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS, VISAS, DUTY FREE

V.C. Bird International Airport - As well as receiving daily international flights from the US and UK– VC Bird Airport is a hub for onward travel to other island destinations, with 3 local small plane operators flying in and out daily. The closest islands are Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, St Kitts, Nevis, St Martin and Dominica.

You can also take day tours to neighbouring islands either by small propeller plane or by helicopter. Many tour companies offer this service.

Facilities - Facilities at VC Bird International Airport include a restaurant, tourism information desk, taxi stand and car rental agencies. The departure lounge has a second Big Banana Bar, and duty free shopping – from CD’s, perfume and gifts to jewellery.

Toilet facilities can be found in the following places:

o Departure lounge

o Arrivals lounge – but only before you have cleared customs. Once you are through and waiting for baggage and to go through the final customs check there are no toilets.

o Outside – close to the departure gate

Entry requirements for Antigua and Barbuda - Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda require a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, confirmation of accommodation throughout the stay and sufficient funds for the duration of the stay. On arrival, the immigration officer must be satisfied that your reason for visiting Antigua and Barbuda is legitimate.

Passports & Immigration - U.S., Canadian, U.K. and passport holders of other European Union Country nationals require proof of citizenship - a valid passport, original or certified birth certificate. Other nationalities should contact the nearest tourist office for entry requirements.

-If you arrived in Antigua by sea and wish to depart by air, along with your ongoing ticket, you must have an official sign-off letter from the Skipper, releasing you to do so.

Visa Entry Requirements for Antigua and Barbuda

European Union citizens do not require a visa to enter Antigua and Barbuda on holiday or business. Persons visiting are permitted to stay as long as their business takes, provided that:

a) this is no longer than six months
b) they have an onward or return ticket
c) they have confirmation of accommodation
d) they can produce evidence of their ability to maintain themselves in Antigua and Barbuda

Persons requiring a visa for Antigua and Barbuda:
As this changes you can check out the latest information on this matter on this site.

Cruise ship visitors who would normally require a visa would not require one provided that they arrive in Antigua and Barbuda in the morning and depart the same evening.

Departure Tax

The departure tax payable by tourists when leaving Antigua is US$ 20.00 or EC$ 50.00 and for Antiguan citizens this is reduced to EC$ 35.00 . If you visit another island the day before flying home for example Montserrat the departure tax paid on that journey will be valid for your journey home.

Duty Free Allowances

The duty free allowance is as follows: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 1 litre wine or spirits, 170ml (6ozs) perfume. Weapons of war and unprescribed drugs are prohibited.

Duty Free Shopping

Duty Free Shopping is available in stores in St. John’s within the Heritage Quay Shopping centre. In order to be eligible to buy duty free goods the purchaser must now show a valid airline ticket. The shops are obliged to include the actual ticket number on the receipt in order to be able to sell the goods to you duty free.

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION

There are five Antigua and Barbuda embassies and consulates across the UK, Canada and the USA
In Antigua and Barbuda
There is a British Government Representative in Antigua, and consulates or embassies for Germany, Venezuela, China, Denmark, France, Italy and the Netherlands among others.

COMMUNICATIONS

All hotel front office desks provide telephone and fascimile services, with many also now providing internet access, and in room T.V’s.

Telephones

Telephones are also available in most hotel rooms, although if this is a requirement you should check at the time of booking your holiday or accommodation.
Long distance direct calls or worldwide collect calls are possible
The country code for Antigua is 268. Calling from the U.S.A or Caribbean must be prefixed with a 1 , calls from the U.K. must be prefixed with 001.
Phone cards for use in booths or residential phones are available at many stores around the island.

Cell Phone

Many tri-band phones work in Antigua – check before coming if your cell operator has an agreement with any of the providers in Antigua – Cable and Wireless, A.P.U.A. P.C.S or Cingular. If you plan to make a lot of local calls or spend a significant amount of time in Antigua – it may be worth getting a pay as you go deal here. As long as your phone is unlocked (EC$50 locally), you will be able to get a SIM card and local telephone number. You can then buy phone cards locally to top up the phone.

Internet

Many private villas and apartments are now offering wireless internet access, as well as many hotels.
There are internet shops available around the country particularly in St. John’s, Jolly Harbour and English Harbour.

Electric Voltage

Most hotels operate on 110 volts, 60 cycle (same as in USA and Canada), but conversion plugs/transformers can usually be arranged through the hotel

Television, Cable and Satellite

Television is available island wide and is generally provided in all hotel rooms and self catering accommodation:

The local TV station is called A.B.N. (Antigua and Barbuda Network) and evening news and weather bulletins run at 7pm every evening.
Most accommodation offers either cable or satellite TV with a selection of mainly Us stations including CNN, and Sports Channels along with either B.B.C. America or B.B.C. World.
DVD’s players are also widely available in many villas – please check on booking if this is a facility you require.

Radio

The national broadcasting service is A.B.N. radio, but there are also many other local radios. In the past 4 years talk radio has featured very heavily in Antiguan society. It is well worth listening to if possible while on holiday if you want to really start to understand the political and economic landscape – that is if you can understand what is being said!! Here is a selection available:

Observer Radio – It’s a mixture of phone in shows, current affairs and music.

 Crusader Radio – the official station of the current government the United Progressive Party, on 107.3FM.

A.B.N. Radio – the official radio station of the island – available on 90.3FM.

 ZDK Radio – Music & Talk radio on 99.0FM

 Family Radio – Music format all day and night at 92.9FM

GEM Radio – Music format all day and night at 93.9FM.

BBC World Service – on 89.1FM

Post Offices

There are 4 post offices on island: Airport, High Street in St. John’s (main sorting office), Woods Shopping Mall, and Nelson’s Dockyard
Opening hours are 8:15 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 — 3:30 pm on weekdays, except on Friday, when closing hour extends to 4:00 pm. Saturday 9:00am to 12pm
Global airmail services and courier services such as DHL and Federal Express are available.
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ETIQUETTE

Greetings - It is customary in Antigua to greet anyone you meet by saying Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Night (Evening). Failure to greet people on entering an office, shop, hotel reception or bar may result in very slow service or initially being ignored. It is considered very rude here to rush into your request without first taking the time to greet your fellow people.  This is a custom which is often discovered after many times of feeling ‘ignored’, but will become an important part of your knowledge of Antiguan People

Tipping/Gratuities - Tipping is generally accepted at 15% depending on the service.  Some restaurants & hotels will automatically add a 10% gratuity.  There is also an 8.5% restaurant tax charged on the bill Porters and bellboys expect a minimum of 50 cents per bag, taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare.

Appropriate Attire - Antigua is a Christian Country with the majority of the population belonging to one or other of the many churches here.  People do dress well when attending important functions, church or shows. If you are in your hotel or villa, beach attire is appropriate, if however you take a trip into St. Johns or to a restaurant, casual attire as a minimum should be worn. Any revealing clothes will attract undue attention as it is deemed to be disrespectful. Some hotels and restaurants have stricter dress codes – so it is best to check before booking.

Topless and nude sunbathing -  is not acceptable, and may attract unnecessary attention.  Clear this with your hotel. There is an ‘official’ nudist beach  at the Hawksbill Resort on the North West Coast.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

There are a host of general practitioners and specialists on the island, along with a very well equipped diagnostic clinic. Health care is considered  adequate but many major conditions can not be treated. It is best to check before booking if you or one of your party have a ailment requiring specialised  treatment while on holiday.

Many hotels have a G.P on the staff so check with them first, and if not you will be able to ask advice at the desk for a suitable G.P. recommendation. If staying in a villa or other self catering accommodation just pick up the telephone book and you will find a listing for many G.P’s.

There are two hospitals as follows:

Holberton Hospital – Queen Elizabeth Highway, St. John’s – 462 0251/2/3/4

Providing casualty department, maternity, radiology, pathology laboratory, pharmacy, intensive care, surgery, children’s ward, special care unit for premature babies.

Adelin Clinic (Private) - Fort Road, St John’s
- 462 0866/7

Providing for emergency care , minor surgeries & operations, as an alternative to the main hospital (Holberton): General, obstetrics & gynaecology, E.N.T. surgery, paediatrics, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, family medicine, internal medicine, anaesthesiology, radiology, plastic & reconstructive surgery and dentistry.

For emergency medical services you can call 911

Pharmacies

There are a  number of pharmacies  but concentrated in the city of St. John’s and most open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. However, Ceco Pharmacy,  known as "the 24 hour pharmacy" is located on High Street ,  open seven days a week 8:15 am to midnight.

Inoculations and vaccinations

No vaccinations are required unless the visitor is arriving from an endemic area. It is however worth checking with the World Health Organisation website in case of any changes to this information .

Hyperbaric Unit

There are no decompression chambers available on island. By air ambulance they are available at nearby Saba and in St. Thomas, and also Guadeloupe.

SHOPPING

Shopping Hours

Normal shopping hours are Monday - Saturday 8:00am to noon and 1:00pm-5:00pm. Although many stores still close at noon on Thursdays.

Payment

Most stores accept both $EC and $US , but be sure to check when you ask a price (where it is not labelled) whether it is EC or US. It is not appropriate to bargain in shops and stores however it is expected at the Vendors Mall at Heritage Quay. Major credit cards are generally accepted in the Redcliffe and Heritage Quay shopping areas.

Getting Service

Again observance of Greeting people in the store on your entry will win you much better service than if you do not speak – it doesn’t matter whether you are intent on buying or merely browsing

Supermarkets and Provisions

Most hotels have on property a variety store and gift shop for incidentals. Optionally there are supermarkets located throughout the island in various sizes.

There are many large supermarkets in and around St. John’s, at Woods Mall, Jolly Harbour and smaller but equally well stocked supermarkets in the English and Falmouth Harbour areas.

The fruit and vegetable market opens daily except Sundays selling fresh produce from both Antigua and imported. For more information take a look at Heritage Market.

If you are on a yacht or self catering in Antigua then you may want to order provisions to be delivered direct to you. Take a look at our food and drink provisioners for more information.

PERSONAL SAFETY, SUN AND SEA

Personal safety

Antigua and Barbuda is still a relatively crime free country, although of course normal safety measures should be adhered to:

Don’t walk in dark unfamiliar areas at night
If you hire a car do not leave your possessions on display
If you are at the beach generally they are safe but petty theft has been known so do not leave valuables on the beach while you are in the water – ask someone nearby to keep watch over your things.
Don’t leave valuables on hotel or villa balconies.
Health Precautions

Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion

On arrival to the island it is wise to considerably increase your intake of water and non-alcoholic fluids. If you are thirsty this is a signal that your body is already dehydrated. The weather is very deceptive, especially as there is often a cooling breeze from the sea and this can cause you to think it is not as hot as it really is.

Drinking Water :The tap water on the island is relatively safe and if often used for ice cubes. That being said it can still cause upset stomachs due its difference in composition to the water you would normally drink. It is therefore best to drink bottled mineral or purified water to guard against unnecessary illness while on vacation. Drinking ice cold water can cause stomach upsets so where possible it is best to skip the ice, or even wait until your water has warmed up before drinking it.

Exercising : If you want to run or walk while vacationing in Antigua be sure to take water with you as the heat will cause you to perspire much more quickly than normal. If you intend to run for long distances ensure you start out as early as possible in the morning or wait until nearer sundown – 4pm in the winter, 5pm in the summer until setting out for your daily constitutional. You will need to vastly increase your normal water intake to ensure that you do not become dehydrated.

The Sun

Whatever the time of day, ensure that when leaving your accommodation that you are protected with a high U.V factor sun cream. The suns rays are extremely harmful and exposure to them without adequate protection is risking your own long term health. Be also particularly careful with children – ensuring that you re-apply not only your own but their sun creams throughout the day, especially after having been in the sea or swimming pool. To ensure your sun creams protection factor is optimised, apply 20 minutes before exposure to the sun – otherwise you may be burnt.

Be particularly careful on hazy or cloudy days – this does not reduce the ability of the sun to burn, and in fact can be worse as people tend to be less vigilant on cloudy days. Finally if you are spending a day on the water on a tour ensure you liberally re-apply cream throughout the day and try to sit in the shade for part if not all of the tour. The cooling effect of the breeze can lull you in to a false sense of security that it is not hot. Just wait for the boat to stop and you soon find out how warm it is! It makes good sense to wear a hat to reduce the possibility of heat exhaustion.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke It is very easy to have – you feel hot, feel dizzy, feverish, flushed and have a head ache. If you have any of these symptoms seek medical advice.

Insects

There are three main insects – mosquito’s, sand flies and fire ants. The mosquito is most prevalent at sunrise and sunset and in to the evening, as are sand flies, and fire ants are around all day and night. The best ways to avoid problems are as follows:

Wise to use a good mosquito repellent with DEET, the local brand is OFF and is readily available in supermarkets and pharmacies island wide.
Alternatively buy any fragrance free body crème and add a few drops of citronella oil to it – shake well and apply. You can also add it to your sun tan lotion. This is a good natural repellent.
Be particularly vigilant if it has been raining excessively – this is perfect conditions for mosquito’s to increase their number!
While in your accommodation refrain from leaving doors and windows open, especially early morning and late afternoon into evening.
When leaving the room for dinner close all the doors and windows and spray liberally with an insect repellent. Local brands available are Baygon and BOP. They don’t smell good but if you spray them before leaving the room for a few hours most of the odour will have dissipated on your return.
Plug in repellent or mosquito coils can also be used in room.
Rooms with air conditioning tend to have less problems as you need to keep doors and windows sealed to get the benefit of air conditioning. Those with fans however are also excellent – generally a fan switched on will stop them landing on you.
If you are bitten ensure that you bring a cream, lotion or spray with you to stop the itching. You can also buy other gadgets to stop the itch once bitten as you inevitably will be while on holiday. Try not to scratch them as this can cause infection.
For sand flies – ensure that if you are on the beach in the late afternoon or are taking a moonlit stroll along a beach that you have applied your mosquito repellent– the same repellents will work well as those for mosquito’s.
Fire ants can be found anywhere and often are only discovered when you feel a burning itch on your foot. Just be aware when putting your feet on the ground barefoot, or if lying directly on the sand with a towel.

Fauna, Flora, & Fish

There are some beautiful birds, fish, flowers and plants in Antigua. You can take a look at many of them in our Explore Antigua category. Not many offer a real hazard to humans but below we list the main contenders:

Sea Urchins - Be careful when walking on rocky beaches or near corals in case there are sea urchins. They are black , very spiky and small. One of their spines can easily pierce your foot or even foot wear in some cases. They are not harmful other than the initial shock they cause and the sting –which will remain for a few hours. They naturally are absorbed in a few days but you may seek medical assistance.
Manchioneel Tree – often found on or near beaches as excellent shade these trees should not be sat under as shelter from rain, as the sap from the fruit is poisonous and can cause painful blistering. If you do accidentally find you are under a tree wash yourself immediately in the nearest source of water.
Dogs – many Antiguans have dogs as pets and keep them in their yards (gardens) however there are many who escape and long with the many stray dogs these can be an issue in certain areas. Be careful when walking early mornings and late afternoons and watch for any angry dogs. Generally just the threat of having a stone thrown at them will make even the biggest Antiguan dog retreat in terror. They are all bark – but it is better to be vigilant. Ask at your hotel reception or you agent to check if it is an issue on the area you are staying.
Mongoose – these very cute looking mammals are usually seen scurrying at high speed across a road or garden, or sitting straight up on their hind legs reviewing their next move. Essentially shy animals, originally from India these animals have killed all snakes that existed on the island. The only snake you will find is on some of the islands of the North Sound – the Antiguan Racer Snake. They are no longer than 6 inches long. With mongoose if confronted do not attempt to catch one, they have a nasty bite if cornered. For more information on the Antigua Racer Snake visit www.antiguanracer.org
Spiders – as every where in the world Antigua has its fair share of spiders. In Antigua the largest ones are called horse spiders. They can be as large as the palm of your hand but are very rarely seen, not poisonous and are more scared of you then you are of them. The most common time to see them is following VERY heavy rains when their holes in the ground become flooded.
Centipede – Very black and anything up to a few inches long, these creatures are not often seen but their bite can be painful.

TRAVELLING WITH PETS

You are able to bring pets into Antigua and Barbuda. However an import permit must be obtained from the Antigua Chief Veterinary Officer before the importation of all animals. In order to obtain this permit, the intended animal must first be micro-chipped and its blood tested for Rabies Titer at an approved laboratory. The result of such tests must then be forwarded to:

The Acting Chief Veterinary Officer
PO Box 1282
St. Johns, Antigua
Tel/Fax: (268) 460-1759

When traveling with pets:

Always seek the advice of your veterinarian before taking your pet on a plane.
Check with your airline for list of requirements i.e. proof of vaccinations, a current health certificate, etc. Airlines have specific requirements designed to ensure your pet's safety.
Make sure that the kennel in which the animal is confined is approved for air travel.
ALWAYS leave a collar on your pet that has a tag with your name, your address and your pet’s name on it.

Accommodation Prices

Most accommodations charge higher rates from the end of November to the end of April or middle of May, as this is considered high season. You can often get excellent rates and deals through the remaining parts of the year. Expect to pay higher rates for Xmas, Sailing Week and Carnival.

For our current deals check out our
Accommodation Specials

AIRPORTS

Antigua has an international airport and is also a regional hub for the Eastern Caribbean.

There is a private jet customs clearance and immigration available. Tel:562-4347

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Village life is still very much centred around the church services and events. Many churches have regular fund raising events, beach B.B.Q.’s and food fairs throughout the year. They are fun events to attend and a great way of sampling local food at local prices. Christianity with many denominations, including Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Christian Union, Church Of God, Deeper Life, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Nazarene, Pentecostal and Weslyan plays a very important part in the life of most Antiguan and Barbudan people.

For a listing of many of the churches on the island and the times of services visit our Church pages.

There are many community groups and associations on the island, some worldwide organisations and some more locally based. Many of the charities are delighted to get help from overseas whether it is time, gifts or financial donations.

We acknowledge the assistance of www.antiguanice.com